Upholstery sewing machine



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F. N. ROSS ET AL 7 2,031,906

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Feb. 25, 3936. F. N. R088 51 AL 2,031,906

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Feb. 25, 1936. F. N; ROSS El AL UPHOLSTERY SEWING MACHINE 9 Sheets-$heet 8 Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UPHOLSTERY SEWING MACHINE Application August 14, 1933, Serial No. 685,042

18 Claims.

This invention relates to machines, of the general character shown and described in our prior application Serial No. 578,630, filed December 3, 1931, for the continuous quantity production of what is known as tubular upholstery, which is extensively used for the covers of vehicle seat cushions. Such a machine comprises means for supplying and feeding a lining fabric and a finish fabric, means for forming a series of parallel folds in the finish fabric, means for stitching the folds to the lining fabric to form between the fabrics a series of parallel tubes or pipes, and means, operating concurrently with the above ins'trumentalities, for supplying a cotton batt or other filling material to the tubes or pipes. In the machine forming the subject of the application above referred to, the finish fabric, as well as the lining fabric, is supplied in a continuous length or web. The present invention has for its primary object to provide mechanism whereby the finish fabric can be supplied in separate pieces, each of a size suitable for the formation of an individual cushion cover, without interrupting the continuity of operation of the machine.

The foregoing and other more particular objects of the invention, together with means whereby the latter may be carried into effect, will best be understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the particular construction described and shown has been chosen for purposes of exemplification merely, and that the invention, as defined by the claims hereunto appended, may be otherwise embodied without departure from the spirit and scope thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the substantially complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view with the sewing mechanism omitted.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, partly broken away.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, illustrating the elevation of the presser bars to afford access to the feed bars for the purpose of removing or re-arranging the material.

' Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail sections taken substantially on the lines !-1, 8mg and 9-9, respectively, Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary transverse section taken substantially on the line l0-I 0, Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially on the line I|-I I, Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a transverse section, partly broken away, and with certain parts omitted, taken substantially on the line |2I2, Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 is a detail section of one of the pairs of contact members shown in Figs. 15-17 inclusive.

Fig. 14 is a similar view of another pair of contact members.

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are fragmentary diagrammatic views of the receiving portion of the feeding mechanism and the controlling system therefor, the parts being shown in different positions in the respective views.

The mechanism of the machine is carried by a main frame which, together with certain subsidiary frame elements hereinafter referred to, is suitably designed to provide the necessary supports and bearings for the various operating instrumentalities hereinafter described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 6, the lining fabric L is supplied in a continuous length or web from a suitable roll or other source, not shown, said fabric being guided in a path converging, toward the stitching point, with the path of travel of the finish fabric F which is fed as hereinafter described, suitable means, generally indicated at 26, being provided for supplying strips of cotton batt or other filling material B (Fig. 4) between said fabrics at or adjacent their point of convergence.

The finish fabric F as it travels toward the stitching point passes over a series of upright forming plates 21 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) which cooperate with bifurcated presser ribs 29, and which have, in advance of and adjacent the stitching point, upper edge portions 28 which are curved into a substantially horizontal plane, whereby, as the finish fabric is fed toward the stitching point, it is formed with a series of parallel upstanding folds f, the upper edges of which are turned over as indicated at f in Fig. 7. The turned portions f of the folds J are thereafter stitched to the lining fabric L by the sewing mechanism which comprises a series of straight, vertically reciprocating needles 30 cooperating with a corresponding series of loopers 3| located in tubular housings 32 which extend between the fabrics.

The parts above referred to, except as hereinafter pointed out and as they enter into combination and cooperate with the parts hereinafter described, specifically form no portion of the present invention and may be substantially as more fully described in our prior application above referred to, or otherwise as preferred.

As above stated, the present invention relates primarily to mechanism whereby the finish fabric is supplied in separate pieces and is suitably gathered for presentation to the fold forming devices and sewing mechanism. Said piece feeding mechanism is supported in part by the main frame 25, including the cross members 34 and 35 thereof, and in part by a frame extension 33 (Figs. 1 and 4), including cross member 35.. Said mechanism comprises a feed table 3'! supported by the receiving end of the frame extension 33, i. e., the end thereof remote from the main frame, and adapted to receive the cut pieces as herenafter described; a series of longitudinal feed members, designated as a Whole in Figs. 3, 4 and 6 by the numeral 38, for feeding the pieces from the feed table to the fold forming devices and sewing mechanism; and additional feeding devices, generally indicated by thenumeral 35 in said figures which cooperate with the looper housings 32 to feed said pieces past said forming devices and sewing mechanism.

The longitudinal feeding devices 38 are arranged in converging relation from the feed table 31 toward the sewing mechanism in order to gather the finish fabric pieces laterally to provide the necessary fullness for the pipes or tubes and for the formation of the folds f. Said feeding devices comprise a series of gyratory feed bars 45 (see particularly Figs. 6, 9, 10 and 11) having serrated upper edges, and a corresponding series of presser bars 4| having on their under sides spring fingers 42 for holding the finish fabric pieces F in engagement with the serrated edges of the feed bars 45.

Each of the feed bars 48 operates and is guided between a pair of fixed holding bars 43 also having serrated upper edges for holding the material against retrograde movement. The holding bars are carried by upright portions 44 of angle bars 45 secured, as by screws 46, to the upper ends of bifurcated brackets 41 which in turn are bolted or otherwise secured to and supported by the cross members 34, 35, and 36; Each feed bar 40 has secured thereto (Figs. 6- and 9) a number of slotted lugs 49; said bars being received in the slots in the lugs and being secured therein by rivets 48, and the upright portions 44 of the angle bars 45 being cut away, as shown at 50, to receive said lugs. The lugs 49 are formed withT-shaped heads 5| which are received in undercut grooves 52 in enlargements 53 at the upper edge of an actuating bar 54. Each of the actuating bars 54 is formed at its lower edge with flanged. portions 55 (Figs. Sand 11) to which are secured, as by bolts 56, brackets constituting. eccentric straps 51.

,In: the construction shown, each actuating bar 54 is provided with three eccentric straps 5?, corresponding straps of the several bars cooperating with eccentrics 58 (Figs. 4, 10 and 11) on transverse shafts 59, 88 and 6! journalled in the brackets 47 carried respectively by the several cross members 34, 35-and-36. Each of the shafts 59, 60 and 6! has keyed thereto; at a point approximately midway of its length; a skew gear 62" which meshes with. a skew gear 63 keyed to a longitudinal shaft 84. The shaft 84 is journalledin suitable bearings 65 carried by one of the brackets 41 of each set at approximately the longitudinal center, of the machine, said last named brackets and those immediately adjacent thereto being suitably formed to receive said bearings and the gears 63, as shown most clearly in Fig. 10. The shaft 64 has fast thereon a skew gear 66 (Fig. 4) which meshes with a skew gear 61 on a transverse shaft 68 journalled in bearings in a bracket 34! carried by the cross member 34 and in another bracket 59 (Fig. 3) car ried by the frame extension 33. The shaft 68 is connected through suitable power transmitting elements, including beveled gears 79, chain and sprocket gearing H, and belt i2 (see also Fig; 2), with anelectric or other motor 13 carried by the main frame 25. The eccentrics 58 serve to impart a gyratory motion to the feed bars 48, whereby the material is intermittently advanced toward the sewing mechanism, said material being held against retrograde movement, (lining the intervals between the feeding movements, by the holding bars 43.

The feeding devices 38 comprise relatively short parallel feed bars 24 (see particularly Figs. 6, '7 and 8) each having preferably a plurality of serrated edges located opposite the corresponding looper housing 32, said feed bars being carried by actuators Z3 and being urged upwardly with respect to said actuators toward the looper housings by springs 22. The several actuators 23 are pivotally connected at 2| to the corresponding actuating bars 54 and are formed with portions 20 which constitute eccentric straps embracing eccentrics 19 on a transverse shaft l8 suitably journalled in the frame extension 33. The shaft I8 is provided with a skew gear I 1 which meshes with a skew gear I E (Fig- 4) on the shaft 64. By means of this mechanism the serrated feed bars 24 are given a gyratory motion similar to that imparted to the feed bars 48 and cooperate with the looper housings 32 to continue the feed of the finish fabric pieces F to the sewing mechanism beyond the ends of the feed bars 49.

Each of the presser bars 4! comprises a fixed section 74 (Fig. 4) suitably secured to the frame, a hinged section 75 pivoted at 15 to the section 74, and a clamping section 17 (see also Figs. 15, 16 and 17) pivoted at 18 to the free end of the section 15. The sections 75 of the several presser bars are supported by hangers 19 (see Fig. 12) from a tubular cross head 89 connected at its ends by a pair of links 8| with arms 82 on a cross shaft 83 journalled at its ends in uprights 84 rising from the frame extension 33. The shaft 83 is provided at its ends with cranks 85 whereby said shaft may be turned to lift the hinged sections 15, with their pivoted sections 11, from the normal position shown in Fig. 4 into the elevated position shown in Fig. 5 to permit removal or rearrangement of the cloth in case of necessity. The'links 8| are preferably of the angular form shown, whereby the pivots connecting said links with the arms 82 move beyond the dead center position when the parts are moved into the position shown in Fig. 5, thereby serving to retain said parts in said position. It will be understood that this is an emergency expedient for use only in case of accidental improper operation, and'that the hinged sections 15 normally occupy the position shown in Fig. 4.

Journalled in suitable bearings in the tubular cross head 80, and extending therethrough and beyond the ends thereof, is a shaft 86 having on each end a pair of oppositely extending arms 87 and 88. The arms 8! are connected by links 89 with the cores 90 of a pair of solenoids 9| carried by the frame extension 33. The arms 88 are connected by links 92 with the plungers 93 of a pair Cal of dash pots or oil checks 94 likewise carried by the frame extension 33. The pins 95 and 06, for connecting the links 89 and 92 with the cores 90 and plungers 93 respectively, are removable to permit the elevation of the hinged sections 15 of the presser bars into the position shown in Fig. 5, as above explained. The arms 88 are pivotally connected at their ends with arms 91 on a transverse shaft 98 journalled in hangers 99 by which the several swinging clamping sections 11 of the presser bars are supported, said shaft serving to connect all of said sections for movement on their pivots as a unit. At its ends the shaft 98 is provided with arms I provided with pins IOI adapted to cooperate with hooks I02 pivoted to the cores I03 of solenoids I04 carried by the frame extension 33. The hooks I02 have cam portions I05 which cooperate with pins I06 on uprights I01 rising from the frame extension 33, whereby when the solenoids I04 are energized the hooks I02 are moved from the position shown in Fig. 16 to that shown in Fig. 17 and are caused to engage the pins IM and draw the arms I00 and clamping sections 11 downward. The pins I08 by which the hooks I02 are pivotally connected with the cores I03 are connected by springs I09 with the frame extension 33, whereby the hooks I02 are returned to the position shown in Figs. and 16 when the solenoids I04 are de-energized.

Journalled in suitable bearings in the frame extension 33 is a cross shaft I I0 having at each end a three-armed lever III, each lever comprising an upwardly extending arm II 2, a downwardly extending arm I I3, and a laterally extending arm H4. The arms II2 of the levers III are connected by a cross bar II5 adapted, when said levers are moved from the position shown in Figs. 15 and 1'1'into the position shown in Fig. 16, to cooperate with the feed table 31 to clamp the edge of a piece of fabric thereon. The arm II4 of each lever is connected with the frame extension 33 by a spring II6 adapted, when said lever is moved between the two positions referred to, to pass dead center, thereby tending to hold said lever in either of. the two positions into which it is moved. The arm II4 of each of the levers III is connected by a link II1 with a suitable treadle I10 (see Figs. 1 and 3). The arms II3 of the levers I II are connected by links II8 with 1 bell crank levers H9 pivoted at I20 to brackets I2I carried by the uprights 84, said bell crank levers having arms I22 which extend into the path of movement of the shaft 98 when the clamping sections 11 of the presser bars are depressed into their normal operative position.

Carried respectively by one of the angle bars 45 and the hinged section 15 of the corresponding presser bar M, at a suitable point a short distance fromthe receiving end of said section, are cooperating contact members I23 and I24. As shown most clearly in Fig. 13, the contact member I24 is fixed to the presser bar, while the member I23 is slidably mounted in a socket I25 secured to the bar 45 and is normally urged toward the contact member I24 by a spring I26, whereby said contact members will engage one another when there is no cloth therebetween, as shown in Fig. 15, but will be forced apart and held separated when the cloth is fed therebetween, as shown in Figs. 13, 16 and 1'1.

Similar cooperating contact members I21 and I28 are carried respectively by one of the angle bars 45 and the pivoted clamping section 11 of the corresponding presser bar. The latter contact members differ from those last described in that both are movable and normally urged toward one another by springs I20 and I30 (Fig. 14') so as to have a somewhat greater range of movement.

Similar contact members l3I and I32 are also carried respectively by the pivoted clamping section 11 of one of the presser bars and a bracket I33 carried by the corresponding hanger 19.

Carried by the casing of one of the solenoids I04 and a bracket I34 secured thereto are two normally separated contact members I35 and I36, the contact member I35 being adapted to be moved into engagement with the contact member I36 by the core I03 when said solenoid is energized.

One of the three-armed levers III is provided with a switch element I31 adapted to engage a cooperating switch element I38, fixed to the frame extension 33, when said lever is in the position shown in Figs. 15 and 17 to close the circuit therethrough, but to disengage the same and break the circuit when said lever is in the position shown in Fig. 16.

The cores 90 of the solenoids 9| are formed with shoulders I39 adapted to be engaged by latch members I40 carried by the cores I4I of solenoids I42 and normally urged toward operative position by springs I43, whereby, when the solenoids SI and I42 are all de-energized, the downward movement of the pivoted clamping sections 11 of the presser bars from the elevated position shown in Fig. 15 toward the operative position shown in Fig. 17 is arrested as shown in Fig. 16.

The circuits connecting the several electrical devices above referred to are illustrated in Figs. 15, 16 and 17. For simplicity the circuits to one each of the solenoids 9|, I04 and I42 are shown, but it will be understood that other circuits, suitably connected in parallel with the circuits shown and described beyond their several controlling contact devices and switches, extend to the corresponding solenoids at the opposite side of the machine.

Conductors I44 and I45, connected with the opposite poles of a suitable source of current, are connected respectively with the switch element I38 and the contact member I24. Cooperating contact member I23 is connected by a conductor I46 with one end of the winding of the solenoid 0| the other end of which is connected by a conductor I41 with the switch element I31, thereby completing the circuit through the solenoid 9| when the contact members I23 and I24 are in engagement and the switch I31, I38 is closed. A parallel circuit through the winding of the solenoid 0| through the contact members I3I and I32, and independent of the contact members I 23 and I24, is provided by a conductor I48 connecting the conductor I with the contact member I32 and a conductor I49 connecting the contact member I3I with the conductor I46 adjacent the solenoid 9I, or between the latter and the contact member I23. A conductor I50 leads from the contact member I32, through the normally closed switch element I5I of a retarded relay I52, to the contact member I28. The cooperating contact member I21 is connected by a conductor I53 with one end of the winding of the solenoid I04 the other end of which is connected by a conductor I54 with the conductor I44. A shunt circuit I55 to the coil of the retarded relay I52 is connected about the solenoid I04 to the conductors I53 and I54 respectively. Leading from the conductor I53 to one end of the winding of the solenoid I 42 is a conductor I56, the opposite end of said windingbeing connected with the conductor I54 by a conductor I51, thereby providing a parallel circuit through the solenoid I42 between the conductors I 53 and I 54 about the solenoid I04. A conductor I58 leads from the conductor I50 to the contact member I35, the cooperating contact'member I36 being connected by a conductor I59 with the conductor I56, whereby the contact members I35 and I36 are adapted to close the' circuits to the solenoids I04 and I42 independently of the contact members I21 and I28.

In Figs. 15, 16 and 17 the parts are shown in various positions assumed thereby during different stages in the operation of the machine. For clearness of illustration, in each figure the circuits which are closed in the position shown are shown in full lines, while the open circuitsare shown in dot-and-dash lines.

In Fig. 15 a piece of finish fabric F is shown as having been fed toward the forming'and sewing mechanisms to a point where its rear (in the direction of travel) edge has passed the contact members I23 and I 24, the forward edge of the nextsucceed'in'g piece F having not yet reached said contact members, thereby providing :a gap between the pieces and permitting said contact members to engage one another. A circuit is, therefore closed through the conductor I45, contact. members I 23 and I24, conductor I46, solenoid.9I,. conductor I41, switch I31, I38, and conductor I44. The solenoid 9| is therefore energizeddrawing its core 90 downwardly and raising thepivoted clamping sections 11 of the presser bars'4l into the position shown. The raising of the.- sections 11 engages the contact members I31 and" I-32i thereby closing a circuit through the solenoid 9I independently ofv the contact members I23 and I24, through the conductors I 40 and I49. Consequently, when the forward edge of the piece F reaches and separates the contact members I23 and I24, the solenoid 9| will remain energized and continue to hold the clamping sections 11 in the raised position shown.

The operator then takes a piece of material F (Fig. 16) from a stack S (Figs. 1 and 3) on a conveniently located truck or platform T, and places it on the feed table 31 with one edge beneath the clamping'bar H5 and the other edge beneath the' raised pivoted clamping sections 11 and overlying the adjacent edge of the piece F He then operates either of the treadles I'which through its link II1, moves the three-armed levers III into the position shown in Fig. 16, thereby clamping the piece F to the feed table 31 against feeding movement. The continued feeding movement of the piece F in engagement with the piece F causes the latter to be drawn or smoothed out into fiat position, straightening out any Wrinkles therein. Movement of the three-armed lever III into the position shown in Fig. 16 opens the switch I31, I38, thereby breaking the circuit through the solenoid 9|. The clamping sections 11 are, therefore, released and permitted to fall toward normal position, this movement being cushioned by the dash pots 94. Before reaching normal position, however, the downward movement of the sections 11 is arrested by engagement of the shoulder I39 on the core 90 with the latch member I40, so that said sections of the presser bar remain inoperative to cooperate with the feed bars 40 to feed the pieceF When. the: parts are in. the. position: last'described, and as shown in Fig. 16, the piece F still occupies a position betwen the contact members I21 and I 28, but, as the feeding of said piece continues, it moves out of this position and permits engagement of said contact members as shown in Fig. 17. A circuit is thereupon closed through conductors 45 and 148, contact member I32, conductor I50, including the normally closed switch element I5I of the retarded relay I52, contact members I28 and I21, conductor I53, solenoid I04, and conductors I54 and I44, this circuit being independent of the switch I31, I38 which as above explained, has been previously opened. This also closes the parallel circuit about the solenoid I04 through the conductors I56, I51 and the solenoid I 42. The energization of the solenoid I 42 causes the core I4I and the latch I40 thereof to be withdrawn from engagement with the shoulder I39 on the core 90 of the solenoid 9|, thus releasing the latter core and the pivoted clamping sections 11, while the enerization of the solenoid I04 causes the core I03 and hook I02 to be drawn downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 17, thereby moving the pivoted clamping sections 11 into their normal position and'rendering the feeding mechanism operative to feed the piece F At thesame time the shaft 98, by engagement with the arm I22 of the bell crank H9, causes said bell crank to operate, through the rod I I8, to return the threearmed lever lit to its normal positionshown in Figs. and 17, thereby releasing thepiece F and permitting. feeding thereof. The energization of the solenoid I04, and consequent downward movement of its core I03, engages the contact members I35 and I I36, thereby closing the circuit through said solenoid and the solenoid I42, independently of the contacts I 21 and I28, through the conductors I58, I56, I59. Consequently, when the piece F is fed between the contact members I21 and I28, separating said contact members and breaking the circuit at that point, said circuit remains closed through contact members I35 and I36 to maintain the clamping sections 11 in the position shown in Fig. 17, and continuing the feeding of said piece. When the circuit through the solenoid I04 is closed, the shunt circuit through the core of the retarded relay I52 is likewise closed, so that after a predetermined period, sufficient to permit the forward edge of the piece F to pass beyond the pivoted sections 11 and under the hinged sections 15, the circuit through the conductor I50 is broken, de-energizing the solenoid I04, and permitting the spring I09 to restore the hook I02 to its normal position as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. Breaking the circuit through the solenoid I04 likewise breaks the circuit through the solenoid I42 as well as the shunt circuit I55 through the retarded relay, leasing the latch member I40 to the influence of its spring I43, and permitting the switch element I5I of the retarded relay to again close the circuit through the conductor I 50, thereby restoring the system to its original position, completing the cycle, and permitting a reclosing of the circuit through the contact members I23 and I24 and solenoid 9| when the rear edge of the piece F passes beyond said contact members in the same way as above described in connection with the piece F It will be understood that, while for convenience and brevity the term fabric is used herein to designate the material F, this expression is not to be taken as limited to textile materials, but

is intended to include any and all sheet materials suitable for the purpose in question.

We claim:

1. A machine of the character described having mechanism for assembling two sheets of fabric in superimposed relationship and forming a series of parallel folds in one of said sheets, and means for stitching the other of said sheets to said parallel fold, characterized by the fact that said mechanism includes means for feeding and gathering said one sheet comprising a series of gyratory feed bars disposed in converging relation.

2. A machine of the character described having mechanism for assembling two sheets of fabric in superimposed relationship and forming a series of parallel folds in one of said sheets, means for stitching the other of said sheets to said parallel folds, and other means for feeding the assembled sheets past said stitching means characterized by the fact that said mechanism includes means for feeding and gathering said one sheet comprising a series of gyratory feed bars disposed in converging relation.

3. A machine of the character described having mechanism for assembling two sheets of fabric in superimposed relationship and forming a series of parallel. folds in one of said sheets, and means for stitching the other of said sheets to said parallel folds, characterized by the fact that said mechanism includes means for feeding and gathering said one sheet comprising a series of gyratory feed bars disposed in converging relation, and a series of parallel gyratory feed bars for feeding the assembled sheets past said stitching means.

4. In a machine of the character .described, fabric piece feeding mechanism including cooperating elements adapted to engage the fabric at opposite sides, and means controlled by the fed position of a previously inserted piece for separating said elements at the receiving end to permit the introduction of a following piece.

5. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism including cooperating elements .adapted to engage the fabric at opposite sides, and means controlled by the fed positions of previously inserted pieces for separating said elements at the receiving end to permit the introduction of a following piece and for thereafter closing said elements upon said following piece tostart the feeding thereof.

6. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism including a series of feeding elements and a corresponding series of presser bars for pressing the fabric into engagement with said feeding elements, said presser bars having pivoted sections at the receiving end of the mechanism, and means controlled by the fed positions of previously inserted pieces for moving said sections on their pivots away from the feeding elements to permit the introduction of a following piece and for thereafter restoring said sections to normal position to start the feeding of said following piece.

fabric piece feeding mechanism including cooperating elements adapted to engage the fabric at opposite sides, means at the receiving end of said mechanism for holding a piece against feeding, and means controlled by the fed position of a previously inserted piece for separating said elements at said receiving end to permit the introduction of said held piece, for releasing said holding means, and for closing said elements upon said last named piece to start the feeding thereof.

9. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism including a feeding element and a presser element for holding the material in engagement with said feeding element, said presser element having at its receiving end .a section movable into an inoperative position away from said feeding element, and means jointly controlled by a piece being fed and by said movable section for moving said section into inoperative position and retaining the same therein.

10. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism including .a feeding element and a presser element for holding the material in engagement with said feeding element, said presser element having at its receiving end a section movable into an inope ative position away from said feeding element, means including a solenoid for moving said section into inoperative position, and means jointly controlled by a piece being fed and by said movable section for controlling the circuit to said solenoid.

11. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism including a feeding element and a presser element for holding the material in engagement with said feeding element, said presser element having at its receiving end a section movable into inoperative position away from said feeding element, means controlled by a piece being fed for moving said section into inoperative position, a clamp for holding a second piece in position to be fed, and means controlled by a piece intermediate said first named pieces for releasing said clamp and restoring said movable section to operative position.

12. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism having at the receiving end portions relatively movable into work receiving and work feeding positions, means controlled by the position of a piece being fed for moving said portions into work receiving position, clamping means for a piece to be fed, means controlled by said clamping means for controlling said moving means, means for arresting the return of said portions into work feeding position, and means controlled by the fed position of .an intermediate piece for releasing said clamping means and arresting means.

13. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism including a feeding element and a presser element for holding material in engagement with said feeding element, said presser element having at its receiving end a section movable into an inoperative position away from said feeding element, means including a solenoid for moving said section into inoperative position, means controlled by a piece being fed for controlling the circuit to said solenoid, a clamp for holding a piece to be fed with an edge thereof in a position to be engaged by said feeding mechanism, a switch operated by said clamp for breaking the circuit by the fed position of an intermediate piece for -energizing said last-named solenoid and for releasing said clamp.

14. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism having at the receiving end portions relatively movable into work receiving and work feeding positions, means controlled by the position of a piece being fed for moving said portions into work receiving positi'on, clamping means for a piece to be fed, and means controlled by the fed position of an intermediate piece for moving the portions of said feeding mechanism into Work feeding position and for releasing said clamping means.

'215.tIn a machine of the character described, fabric ipiece'feeding'mechanism including a feeding element and a presser element for holding the material in engagement with said feeding element, said elements having at the receiving end relatively separable portions, means including a solenoid for separating said portions, means controlled by a piece being fed 'for controlling the circuit to said solenoid, a clamp for holding a second piece against feeding, means including a second solenoid for closing the parts of said feeding mechanism upon saidsecond piece and for releasing said clamp, and means controlled by the fed position of an intermediate piece'for controlling the circuit to said second solenoid.

16. In a machine of the character described, fabric piece feeding mechanism having at the receiving end portions relatively movable into work receiving and work feeding positions, means for moving said portionsinto work receiving position, means for moving said portions into work fabric piece-feeding mechanism having ;at :the

receiving end portions relatively movable into work-receiving and work-feedinglpositionsgmeans controlled by the position of a piece being .fed for moving said portions into work-receiving position, clamping "means for 2. piece .to be fed, means controlled by said clampmg means :for controlling said moving means, means for arresting the return of said portions into workfeeding position, and means controlled by the fed-position of an intermediate piece iforreleasing said clamping and arrestingmeans and for-'moving said portions into work-feeding position.

18. In a machine of the character described,

fabric piece-feeding mechanism having .at the receiving end portions relatively 511101 31318 into work-receiving and work-feeding positions',=means including 'a .solenoid for moving said portions into work-receiving position, means controlled :by a piece being fed for controlling the :circuit to said solenoid, a clamp for holding .a secondpiece against feeding, means including .a second solenoid for moving said portions into .vvork-feeding position and for releasing said .clamp, means jointly controlled :by the fed position of an intermediate piece and by said second solenoid for controlling the circuit to the latter, ;and a retarded relay connected in parallel with said second solenoid .for controlling the circuit thereto.

FREDERICK N. ROSS. HORACE TL. JOHNSON. 

